Stockton native living horse-riding dream

Since the time when McKenna Coveney could express her feelings and future plans she showed a love of horses and a deep drive to become a large-animal veterinarian. Since the age of 7 she has been riding horses and competing in local events with her two horses, Carmie and Leon.

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Posted Jul. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Posted Jul. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

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Since the time when McKenna Coveney could express her feelings and future plans she showed a love of horses and a deep drive to become a large-animal veterinarian. Since the age of 7 she has been riding horses and competing in local events with her two horses, Carmie and Leon.

Coveney attended John Muir Elementary School before transferring to Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy. She completed her studies at Ben Holt in three and a half years instead of the normal four years. She applied to and had been accepted by various colleges and universities. She elected to attend California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and pursue her studies. Cal Poly Pomona is involved in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

One of her goals was to compete in Nationals. Upon becoming a member of the Cal Poly Pomona equestrian team this goal became a reality. After competing in various equestrian competitions, Cal Poly Pomona qualified to compete in IHSA Nationals in Harrisburg, Pa., in May. This was the first time in more than six years the school made it to Nationals.

There were 8,700 riders competing to qualify for Nationals, and only 400 made the cut. Out of those riders, the Cal Poly Pomona equestrian team took fourth place out of the top nine western teams in the nation, and Coveney took second place in the Advanced Team Horsemanship.

Coveney has signed up for the four-year pledge at Cal Poly Pomona, which means she pledges to keep a GPA of 3.0 or better and graduate in four years with her bachelor of science degree in animal science. She has made the Dean's List, has received scholarships from the American Paint Horse Foundation and Intercollegiate Equestrian Federation, and is looking forward to years of living her dream.